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Friday, November 13, 2009

Does this high school senior’s face look familiar to you? It’s because it belongs to the very talented Rhyon Brown--who plays Lizzie Sutton on ABC Family’s hit show, Lincoln Heights!

In addition to a busy acting career that spans back to her kindergarten days, Rhyon is a firm believer in giving back to the community. Actively involved with the Boys and Girls Club of America, she lends her celebrity to support the charity and has appeared at several events on their behalf. Here she is with supermodel/Project Runway executive producer and host, Heidi Klum:

(photo courtesy of FrontPage Communications)

In addition to work, school and volunteerism, guess what’s one of Rhyon's favorite pastimes? Uh-huh, reading novels! And that’s where Kelly and I come in! We jumped at the chance to chat with Rhyon, to find out more about her reading tastes and habits, and to share this interview with all of you.

Tina: Welcome to YA Fresh, Rhyon. Tell us, given your busy schedule, when do you find the most time to read?

Rhyon: It depends on the book. Sometimes I have a book that I just finished when I'm laying in my bed, getting ready to go to sleep. Other books I might read when I'm on set, or in the hair and make-up trailer. But, my absolute favorite books to read are those that you just CANNOT put down!

Once I was in Canada, shooting a film and my mom got me this book that I read walking, when we were in the car, when I was in hair and make-up, when we were just kicking it at the hotel, even sometimes when we were in conversation she would have to stop and say "HELLO????" are you even listening to me. That book was Broken China by Lori Aurelia Williams. It's definitely one of my favorites. It was like 265 pages long and I finished it in a day. Then I had the nerve to beg my mom to go back to the book store, at like 11pm, to see what other books were written by that author. It's really a good read!!! You should check it out!

Tina: We will--and believe me, the only thing we like as much as reading good books is getting recommendations for more! On that note, what are some of your favorite authors and books?

Rhyon: Wow.....I have quite a few authors and books that I have fallen in love with and some books that I have read more than once. But, I would have to say some of my favorite authors and books are:

New York Times Best Selling Author Sarah Dessen, This Lullaby, The Truth About Forever, Just Listen, and Dreamland.

But my all-time favorite is New York Times Best Seller is The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini. If you don't read anything else make sure you read The Kite Runner. It has an intriguing story-line and lots of lessons you can apply to life.

Tina: Any book you're hoping to get and read over the holidays?

Rhyon: I can't wait for the holidays to get here because that will mean I've submitted my college applications and I can finally read again for the enjoyment of reading instead of just reading text books and SAT course materials. So, I think I'm going to go to the bookstore and just peruse until I find something that looks inviting. I get three weeks off for Christmas break so I'm sure I'll need a few.

Tina: Sounds wonderful. Have fun with that! In fact, we’re going to encourage our readers to leave you book suggestions in our comments section, so please check back later in the weekend to see what they’ve said! Thanks Rhyon, and we’ll be seeing you on Lincoln Heights!

And now a note about our contest! As you just read, Rhyon is headed to a bookstore during the holidays to pick up some new books. Leave a young adult book suggestion for her in our comments section, and you’ll be entered to win a $20 gift certificate to Barnes & Noble for your own holiday reading! You can enter as often as you’d like. The winner will be announced on Monday.

Great blog post! I recently have read some amazing books that I absolutely loved and would recommend-Red Glass by Laura Resau-Girl Overboard by Justina Chen Headley-The Juliet Club by Suzanne HarperEnjoy!Marjolein

An author who is very similar to Sarah Dessen is Elizabeth Scott. So definitely check out Blood, Perfect You, Stealing Heaven, Something Maybe, and The Unwritten Rule when it comes out!

There's also Susane Colasanti's When It Happens, Take Me There, Waiting for You, and Something Like Fate when it pops up next year.

I'd also recommend:--The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collings--The Maze Runner by James Dasher--As You Wish by Jackson Pearce--The Chosen One by Carol Lynch Williams--Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore--following what Marjolein said another book by Justina Chen Headley, North of Beautiful--Going to Far by Jennifer Echols --The Study series by Maria V. Snyder [Poison Study, Magic Study, Fire Study](just finished the last book and I absolutely love this series!)--Ash by Malinda Lo--Beautiful Creatures by Kami Gracia and Margaret Stohl which released to the public several weeks early!

What a great interview, Rhyon, thanks for the titles, I'll be sure to check them out. One of my fave YA authors is Rosemary Clement-Moore and, for the more fantasy/sword & sorcery-minded John Flanagan's Apprentice Series.

Going Too Far by Jennifer EcholsGraceling by Kristin CashoreTop 10 Uses For An Unworn Prom Dress by Tina FerraroBallads of Suburbia by Stephanie KuehnertHush Hush by Becca FitzpatrickDairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert MurdockA Great and Terrible B eauty by Libba BrayI'd Tell You I Love You But Then I'd Have To Kill You by Ally Carter

There's a good book series called: Ingo by Helen Dunmore if you like fantasy. If you like horses: the Phantom Stallion series by Terri Farley If you like teen romance: Legacy by Cayla KluverA funny adult (but clean) book is Austenland by Shannon HaleThe Musician's Daughter is good, and General WInston's Daughter is AMAZING!!! You should definitely read it! Even if you don't want to buy it, try the library.

Just wanted to say thank you to Tina and Kelly for inviting Rhyon to share. I watch Lincoln Heights faithfully and find Rhyon to be absolutely adorable and refreshing. And now I learn that she is smart and incredibly driven!

Rhyon, you definitely have a bright future! Good luck with those college apps!

The Kite Runner is an amazing book. If you liked it, you should definitely pick up Sefi Atta's Everything Good Will Come. It's about a girl who grows up in Nigeria during a revolution. It's powerful and a great insight into the country's rich background.

Heyyy guys thanks for all the suggestions!! I cant wait to hit Barnes and Nobles and Borders! We shall see how many I can read throughout the three weeks I'm off! Ill make sure I let you guys know what I end up reading!!Thanks again!Rhyon